Improvement in machines for making basket-splints



D. WIOKERSHAM & T. B. BROWN. Machine for Making Basket-Splints.

No. 206,285. Patented July 23,1878.

' INVENTOR I WITNESS fiyfl'df/ ATTORNEYS.

N-PETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHING)?!v D c.

DAVID \VICKERSHAM AND THOMAS E. BROIVN, OF FAIRFIELD, (NEW' \VATERFORD P. O.,) ASSIGNORS TO OF NEW IVATERFORD, OHIO.

THEMSELVES AND ALLEN 13. COPE,

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR MAKING BASKET-SPLINTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent NO. 206,285, dated July 23, I878; application filed May 29, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DAVID 'Wrcrcnnsrmn and THOMAS BENTON BROWN, of Fairfield, (New \Vaterford P. O.,) in the county of Golumbiana and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Cutting Berry-Basket Splints, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a rear view of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, taken through the line It 00, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail section taken through the line 3 y, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved machine for forming splints for making quart berry-baskets and other small baskets, which shall be simple in construction and convenient in use, forming the splints accurately and rapidly.

The invention will first be described in connection with the drawing, and then pointed out in the claim.

A is the base frame or platform of our improved machine, to which is attached an upright frame-work, B. In the inner sides of the rear posts of the frame 13 are formed grooves or ways, to receive the side bars of the sash O, which slides up and down within the said frame-work, and to the forward side of its upper part is attached the knife D, by which the splints are separated from the block.

To the upper part of the frame-work B, in front of the sash C, is secured a table, E, upon which the block is laid to be cut, and to the upper side of which is attached a guide, F, for the end of the block to rest against while being cut.

To the lower and middle cross-bars of the sash O are attached three upright guides, G H I. These may be adjusted, in any suitable manner, at a greater or less distance apart, according as thinner or thicker splints are to be out. To the upper part of the forward side of the guides G H I are attached hack knives or cutters J.

The guides G H I are so arranged upon the sash O that the knife J of the first guide, G,

may be at a distance from the guide F of the table E equal to the height of the required basket, the said knife J projecting so far as to groove the splint and enable it to be bent without breaking.

The second guide, H, is placed at such a distance from the first guide, G, that the distance between the second knife J and the first knife J may be equal to the width of the bottom of the basket, said knife J projecting so far as to groove the splint and enable it to be bent without being broken.

The distance between the knife J of the second guide, H, and the knife J of the third guide, I, is equal to the height of the side of the basket, and the said knife J projects so far as to cut through the splint.

In preparing blocks for use upon the machine, they are out one-quarter of an inch longer than the required length of the splints, and their ends are sawed to a depth equal to the height of the basket, at right angles with the side from which the splints are to be cut, so that the portions of the said splints that form the sides of the basket may be divided, while the portion that forms the bottom of the basket is left solid. The blocks are then placed upon the table E, with their ends resting against the guide F, and are pushed inward against the guides G H I. Then, as the sash G descends, the hack-knives J make their cuts, and the main knife D cuts the splint from the block. WVith this construction,two splints will form a basket,the middle parts bein g placed upon each other at right angles to form the bottom of the basket, and their end parts bein g bent upward to form the sides of the basket, the grooves formed by the first and second knives J preventing them from breaking where bent.

To the round or bar attached to the lower end of the sash 0 is pivoted the upper end of the connecting-rod K, the lower end of which is pivoted to a crank-pin attached to a wheel, L, the journal of which revolves in bearings attached to the lower part of the frame B, and which may be made heavy, so as to serve also as a fly-wheel.

To the outer end of the journal of the wheel L is attached a pulley, M, to receive a belt for driving the machine. The machine may also be operated by hand, if desired, by means of a lever or by attacl'iing' a crank-pin to the pulley M; but in this case the blocks to be operated upon should be made smaller, and from four to six splints used in forming each basket. The sash C may also be provided with a spring-pole, to raise it after makingits stroke and to hold it up While adjusting the blocks.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- DAVID WIOKERSI'IAM. THOMAS BENTON BROWN.

\Vit-nesscs WALTER S. GAYLoRD, J osmn RonRnAUen. 

